University of Missouri
Kansas State
Missouri Defeats Kansas State in Come-From-Behind Victory
1/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 20, 2001
Columbia, Mo.-The Missouri women's basketball team advances to 12-5 with a 3-3 Big 12 Conference record following a 65-60 come back victory over Kansas State. The win extends the Tigers' home win streak to seven games on the season to mark their best home stand since 1987-88 when Mizzou won all nine of its home games. The loss drops K-State to 11-6 and 1-5 in league play.
The game was a struggle for the Tigers from the tip. K-State put itself on the board with a 3-pointer by Kim Woodlee-a shot that would prove troublesome for Missouri throughout the game. The Wildcats led through the entire first half taking its largest eight-point lead in the 12th minute. Missouri came back on a six-point run, but were unable to catch K-State in the first period.
Despite hitting only 33 percent in the first half, senior Amanda Lassiter scored 10 points. She also recorded a pair of assists, blocks and steals. Woodlee led Kansas State with 12 points making four 3-pointers.
The second half started off much like the first, with Kansas State pushing its lead and Missouri looking to catch up. The Tigers got tired of the race however, and turned up the volume to go on a nine-point run and take their first lead in the game 56-55 at 3:58. Senior Marlena Williams ignited Mizzou's rally. She had four-points, two rebounds and an assist within a two minute span to spark the Tigers. Heavy rebounding and solid defensive play by Mizzou put MU over the top for a hard fought 65-60 triumph.
Missouri had three players score in double digits. Lassiter led the team with 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Sophomore guard Kerensa Barr scored 11 points, pulled down seven rebounds and recorded a career-high two blocks in the game. And, Williams scored 10 points overall with six rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Wannette Smith played19 minutes and scored eight points shooting 67 percent from the field netting 4-of-6.
Coach Stein on the Game
"Kansas State was tough on the boards and we weren't blocking out very good. We were extremely flat all night and it was just a matter of gutting it out and playing with a lot of heart to get back."
"The Iowa State game was extremely draining on us both emotionally and physically. When you play the No. 7 team in country and then play a team that is 1-4 in your conference there is a let down. There shouldn't be because our conference is extremely talented and Kansas State is a very good team. It is easy for coaches to know that, but it is hard for the kids to understand it and sometimes it takes a very ugly half to get that point across."
"Marlena Williams came in and had some key buckets and had some key steals. We put her on No. 3 Ohlde and had some great stops. She really was really the force for us."
"It was very frustrating from a coaching standpoint, but at the same time, our kids play extremely hard. I've said over and over again, their work ethic wins us a lot of ball games, especially when we're playing as bad as we were tonight. But, you have to give K-State a lot of credit, they came out ready to play and they defended us well, but ended up with some tough shots."
"Pep came in very determined. She was very dissatisfied with her play. That is what I like about these kids. They're irritated if they play bad, even if we win. They want to play better and that is what makes this team go right now."
"When you're team is flat and not doing things, the chemistry is off, you're out of sync. It's about getting down, getting dirty and going after it, getting all the loose balls, getting the rebounds and starting with the small things. I think our team did that down the road and we were successful."
"Amanda made her presence known. She knew she wasn't shooting real well and she picks up her defensive game when she's not shooting very well. It's nice to see because she did caused a lot of havoc. She pressured the passer and took it to a whole new level."
